1/22/12

Are Purple Moles Normal or Possible Cancer?

Do you have a
purple mole? If so, are you worried that your mole has cancer because it's
purple? I consulted with Maria M. Tsoukas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor,
Dermatology Section, University of Chicago. Dr. Tsoukas explains, "The
color of a mole may vary within normal ranges, and purple color may not
necessarily mean harmful or harmless mole."

Thus, a
normal mole may indeed appear to be purple. So if the question is, "Does a
purple mole mean cancer?" then the bigger question should be: Has your
mole always been purple? If it's been this color for years, then you can assume
that this is the normal nature of the skin spot.

On the other
hand, if the mole has recently taken on a purple color -- get it examined by a
dermatologist. When a mole changes color, this can signal melanoma skin cancer,
the deadliest skin cancer, with a very low five-year survival rate once this
skin cancer has spread to other sites in the body.

Dr. Tsoukas
explains, "The colors that we see are based on optics in human skin with
regards to structures existing under our skin. As a general rule, red hue is
due to vascular network lying in the top layers of our skin. Pigmented cells
located deep in our skin may cause a bluish appearance. In examination of moles
we are also using, along with clinical observation, dermoscopy where we have
now established certain patterns of moles. However, confirmation is obtained by
biopsy of mole and examination under microscope."

Normal moles
can come in the following colors: tan to dark brown and any shade in between;
flesh colored; pink; blue; and black.

The color of
a mole should be uniform. If there is change in color, that's when to be
concerned and make an appointment with a dermatologist. Melanoma can present in
the following colors: flesh toned, white, red, blue, pink, purple, tan to dark
brown, black and grey. "Therefore, color of mole cannot confirm with
regards to benign or malignant growth."

A melanoma
can be comprised of several of these colors. The key again is if the pigmented
spot has been changing in color. If you're not sure if that purple spot on your
skin has always been there, or whether or not the skin lesion has always been
purple as opposed to another color, then play on the safe side and have a
dermatologist look at it.

Also, what
you think is a purple mole might actually be another type of skin lesion, such
as a seborrheic keratosis, a benign skin lesion or barnacle that's
completely harmless. "That's why you need to seek medical advice to
confirm," says Dr. Tsoukas.

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